I am in a position where it seems like I am changing my mind daily on where to attend law school. Here is a little about me and my preferences and your marking the choice you would choose and giving an explanation would be greatly appreciated.

I want to focus on Corporate Law, I am undecided on the transactional aspect or litigation but that is the focus. I am married with a daughter, so social life isn't a real consideration, I just want the best education at the best overall value.

We have no preferences on where we would like to ultimately practice. I grew up in the Mountain West and think I would like to practice here but we have never experienced the East Coast or Midwest and wouldn't mind attending school there as long as there is a chance if it becomes evident that we want the West to come back.

I realize that my options ranged from low rank (decent market) ASU for free, from paying still a substantial amount at higher rank and more prestigious W&M. So what would you do, and why?

I personally would go with the best ranking with a full ride unless you are really worried about the GPA requirement. If you are worried about it then head to Tempe. On a side note regarding ASU, law school will give you the summer off and you could get the heck out of the 120 degree temps. I've been there in July. It's sick.

Padimud wrote:If giving the choice, where would you all live, Colorado, Arizona, or Virginia?

That's more of a choice for you. My personal opinion as that law school is not the time to say "Maybe I'd like to live on a different coast," but to each his own. If a new location makes you miserable, all of these law schools will keep you, relatively speaking, locked into their areas. Obviously, you could transfer, but that's something few recommend hanging your hat on (myself included).

If it was me making this decision I would try to narrow from either Colorado, Iowa, or Arizona State but those are mostly personal reasons varying from location to family and weather in the event I get free time I like to be outside

I'm currently in the state of Colorado which is where I finished my undergrad degree, and really enjoy it out here, but almost all of my family resides in Iowa (and is where I grew up), family is always a huge role, and finally I also have relatives in AZ and from my visits down there I can't say a bad thing about Phoenix, with the exception of 100+ degree days in the summer where even being in a pool isn't going to keep you cool.

Take this all with a grain of salt obviously as the factors I described have nothing to do with the law schools.

Based on your choices, I'm guessing William & Mary & Iowa have "higher prestige" due to their historical higher rankings.

I am only inferring this from past rankings but it appears schools ranked higher have higher prestige and therefore the ability to mobilize your degree from coast to coast may be "easier" depending on your career focus. Whereas schools ranked lower appear to have stronger reputations in their region and lower mobility across the country.

William & Mary may be perceived to have better reputation based on its east coast location, ranking and school history -- but that's merely my opinion.

Padimud wrote:Is there any reason I should hold on to my belief that W & M is above the rest in the Prestige category? Or that W & M will allow me the most opportunity outside of any one state's borders?

W&M might be a little more prestigious but not a ton of laypeople have heard of it, and it's certainly not nationally portable. Settle in the market you want to be in after graduation.

Since you want to be in the West, I would eliminate both Iowa and W&M. Though they are higher ranked, they don't fit your needs.

This leaves ASU and Colorado. First - find out what the curve is at Colorado. If it's median or worse, then pick Colorado. If it would be any harder to keep, pick the full ride at ASU. If you are debt adverse and really don't want loans or want minimal loans (since you have a family this may be preferable), then just go to ASU since it's all guaranteed.

You make it sound like it should be so easy. I have no preference on staying West, my family is here but that does not necessarily mean I need to be. So take out the element of preference of end location and does the consideration change?

KNW13 wrote:+1 - from what I've read it's best to go to law school where you wish to practice, generally speaking.

Sometimes easier said than done. So I see your dilemma. If you can, visit each school to get a firm grasp on where you're most comfortable, it will be 3 years of your life at the minimum.

Realizing this. . . I asked your preference not mine.

Is it too late to apply to a law school in Assholeville? You'd fit in perfectly.

And for the record, William & Mary is NOT prestigious. You might find another baby's mama by name dropping W&M at the local Target or youth league soccer game, but younger and more savvy assholes will know better.

My "preference" is that you let the kid pick. She has to put up with you for the next 3 years...

That written, I would base my decision on minimizing debt while maximizing both educational quality and future job prospects. On that, I would choose Iowa. You can place in the west with a JD from Iowa (look at their OCI firms, which includes a number of very good firms out in CO, WA, CA, and AZ). Additionally, if you want to practice corporate law, they have a well regarded corporate law journal and program.

Boulder, while a cool town, is massively expensive, and you'd have debt substantial when you were done, and would be limited to the west. I think Iowa has greater reach, and your offer there is excellent.

As much as I would like you to pass up the Iowa money (in the hopes that it might get reallocated to ME), I would go to Iowa for sure. Its prestige is solid and is a good school - that combined with their aid offer should blow W&M out of the water.

That written, I would base my decision on minimizing debt while maximizing both educational quality and future job prospects. On that, I would choose Iowa. You can place in the west with a JD from Iowa (look at their OCI firms, which includes a number of very good firms out in CO, WA, CA, and AZ). Additionally, if you want to practice corporate law, they have a well regarded corporate law journal and program.

Boulder, while a cool town, is massively expensive, and you'd have debt substantial when you were done, and would be limited to the west. I think Iowa has greater reach, and your offer there is excellent.

As much as I would like you to pass up the Iowa money (in the hopes that it might get reallocated to ME), I would go to Iowa for sure. Its prestige is solid and is a good school - that combined with their aid offer should blow W&M out of the water.

Thanks for the insight. All that said, Iowa is not going to be the destination. My wife and I have determined it will be W&M or Arizona St. How does that change the discussion? If Colorado and Iowa are no longer options and all one is left with is W & M or ASU then how do the two offers compare.

Note: ASU's offer is just shy of a full ride, I would have to pay $10,000 in the third year.

Jerome: I will gladly give you my Iowa money as soon as I am done using it as a negotiating chip.

That written, I would base my decision on minimizing debt while maximizing both educational quality and future job prospects. On that, I would choose Iowa. You can place in the west with a JD from Iowa (look at their OCI firms, which includes a number of very good firms out in CO, WA, CA, and AZ). Additionally, if you want to practice corporate law, they have a well regarded corporate law journal and program.

Boulder, while a cool town, is massively expensive, and you'd have debt substantial when you were done, and would be limited to the west. I think Iowa has greater reach, and your offer there is excellent.

As much as I would like you to pass up the Iowa money (in the hopes that it might get reallocated to ME), I would go to Iowa for sure. Its prestige is solid and is a good school - that combined with their aid offer should blow W&M out of the water.

Thanks for the insight. All that said, Iowa is not going to be the destination. My wife and I have determined it will be W&M or Arizona St. How does that change the discussion? If Colorado and Iowa are no longer options and all one is left with is W & M or ASU then how do the two offers compare.

Note: ASU's offer is just shy of a full ride, I would have to pay $10,000 in the third year.

Jerome: I will gladly give you my Iowa money as soon as I am done using it as a negotiating chip.

I think William and Mary hold's some prestige. Its basically the second best law school in the state of Virginia and has some reach into DC. This is why its my top choice, got waitlisted there and not holding my breath. I just really like William and Mary...although the town sucks ass.

If I were you I'd take ASU. Paying very little and in a pretty good market. I got waitlisted at Iowa but I hate the cold so I'm likely not going there, if they had thrown some money at me I might have changed my mind. Enjoy the sun at ASU and little debt.

That written, I would base my decision on minimizing debt while maximizing both educational quality and future job prospects. On that, I would choose Iowa. You can place in the west with a JD from Iowa (look at their OCI firms, which includes a number of very good firms out in CO, WA, CA, and AZ). Additionally, if you want to practice corporate law, they have a well regarded corporate law journal and program.

Boulder, while a cool town, is massively expensive, and you'd have debt substantial when you were done, and would be limited to the west. I think Iowa has greater reach, and your offer there is excellent.

As much as I would like you to pass up the Iowa money (in the hopes that it might get reallocated to ME), I would go to Iowa for sure. Its prestige is solid and is a good school - that combined with their aid offer should blow W&M out of the water.

Thanks for the insight. All that said, Iowa is not going to be the destination. My wife and I have determined it will be W&M or Arizona St. How does that change the discussion? If Colorado and Iowa are no longer options and all one is left with is W & M or ASU then how do the two offers compare.

Note: ASU's offer is just shy of a full ride, I would have to pay $10,000 in the third year.

Jerome: I will gladly give you my Iowa money as soon as I am done using it as a negotiating chip.

Mighty kind of you. Just let the admissions office know. I'll send you beer/whiskey as a thank you.

In all seriousness, I'd take ASU. Places well in the west (this is dated, but helpful nonetheless: http://law.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent. ... t=expresso) and having minimal debt, especially with a kid, is essential. What WM has in prestige I think ASU makes up for in (a) scholarship and (b) western job prospects.

That written, I would base my decision on minimizing debt while maximizing both educational quality and future job prospects. On that, I would choose Iowa. You can place in the west with a JD from Iowa (look at their OCI firms, which includes a number of very good firms out in CO, WA, CA, and AZ). Additionally, if you want to practice corporate law, they have a well regarded corporate law journal and program.

Boulder, while a cool town, is massively expensive, and you'd have debt substantial when you were done, and would be limited to the west. I think Iowa has greater reach, and your offer there is excellent.

As much as I would like you to pass up the Iowa money (in the hopes that it might get reallocated to ME), I would go to Iowa for sure. Its prestige is solid and is a good school - that combined with their aid offer should blow W&M out of the water.

Thanks for the insight. All that said, Iowa is not going to be the destination. My wife and I have determined it will be W&M or Arizona St. How does that change the discussion? If Colorado and Iowa are no longer options and all one is left with is W & M or ASU then how do the two offers compare.

Note: ASU's offer is just shy of a full ride, I would have to pay $10,000 in the third year.

Jerome: I will gladly give you my Iowa money as soon as I am done using it as a negotiating chip.

Mighty kind of you. Just let the admissions office know. I'll send you beer/whiskey as a thank you.

In all seriousness, I'd take ASU. Places well in the west (this is dated, but helpful nonetheless: http://law.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent. ... t=expresso) and having minimal debt, especially with a kid, is essential. What WM has in prestige I think ASU makes up for in (a) scholarship and (b) western job prospects.

Good luck.

I agree. Unless you want to live in Virginia or have interest in the DC market I'd take ASU.